World’s Lightest Weight Wireless Digital Radiography System

The "AeroDR" wireless cassette type digital radiography system sold by Konica Minolta weighs just 2.9kg including the internal battery and is the world's lightest x-ray system.

"The AeroDR is equipped with an internal battery in order to support wireless operations. The battery is a next-generation battery called a lithium-ion capacitor. Ordinary lithium batteries used in cell phones and PCs inevitably degrade and must be replaced after 1 or 2 years with repeated overcharging, charging and discharging. The lifespan of this lithium-ion capacitor is significantly longer than those batteries. In fact, the extent of deterioration of the lithium-ion capacitor is so small that the lifespan of the battery is equivalent to the lifespan of the product. The battery is a deep cycle battery that can be discharged and recharged 40,000 to 50,000 times depending on how it's used. As a result, it has a lifespan of around 10 years. The battery never has to be replaced and is fully embedded in the device."

The AeroDR is a next-generation type CR device that uses a Cesium Iodide (CsI) scintillator, or fluorescent substance, developed and produced independently by Konica Minolta. As a result, high quality diagnostic images can be obtained with roughly half the amount of radiation exposure compared to conventional CR imaging.

"As you can see, the case is made of carbon. A monocoque structured cassette was created by weaving carbon strands in a matrix. As a result, the cassette is covered entirely with rugged, lightweight carbon. In addition, the area here is cap shaped and is designed to function like a car bumper. When it experiences impact from being dropped or such, this cap shaped area absorbs the impact."

Konica Minolta is examining the possibility of developing products of different sizes, including a system that is a quarter the size of the current product.